Google has invested $168 million in a new solar energy power plant being developed by BrightSource Energy. When completed, Brightsource’s Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS), located in the Mojave Desert in California, will generate 392 gross megawatts of solar energy.

"We need smart capital to transform our energy sector and build a clean energy future," posted Rick Needham, director of green business operations at Google. "This is our largest investment to date, and we’ve now invested over $250 million in the clean energy sector. We’re excited about Ivanpah because our investment will help deploy a compelling solar energy technology that provides reliable clean energy, with the potential to significantly reduce costs on future projects."

Power towers use a field of mirrors, called heliostats, to concentrate the sun’s rays onto a solar receiver on top of a tower. The solar receiver generates steam, which then spins a turbine and generator to make electricity.